PORTAGE, MI – Barring a massive change in the weather in the next month, Portage is assured of carrying off its busy winter recreation programs schedule through early March.

Portage's annual Twilight Skate has been especially popular with teens over the years. This year's event will be Feb. 27 at the Ice Rink at Millennium Park.Tom Haroldson/Special to the Kalamazoo Gazette

From a cross country ski class Jan. 25 to the second annual Portage Winter Blast Half Marathon and 5K Run March 2, Portage’s Parks and Recreation Division has lined up several outdoor activities to take advantage of the snowy and cold winter season.

Registration is due Thursday for the cross country ski class Saturday, Jan. 25, at Schrier Park. The family class for 8 years old to adult will be 9-11 a.m. at $15 a person and an adult class for 13 years old to adult will be 1-3 p.m. at a cost of $20. Bring your own equipment or rent them through Lee’s Adventure Sports. Registration is at Lee’s or Breakaway Bicycles.

On Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 the city is sponsoring downhill ski or snowboard lessons at Timber Ridge in Gobles. The lessons for ages 8 years to adult has registration due Friday at a cost of $5 a person or $10 a family to be paid at Timber Ridge Jan. 26. Registration must be done at the Park parks department, 7719 S. Westnedge Ave.

A lack of authentic winter weather has sometimes played tricks with the annual Winter Snow Party sponsored by the Portage Youth Advisory Committee. That should not occur this year when the party goes on from noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at Oakland Drive Park. From sledding to a snowman building contest, the Winter Snow Party has been a big success, especially the chance to build, decorate and race your own cardboard sled. The event is free.

The action returns to Schrier Park for the Snowshoe Nature Hike 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Dan Keto of the Kalamazoo Nature Center will lead the snowshoers on a winter nature hike to observe animal tracks, the winter woods and plants and animals. Hiking boots are encouraged, bring your own snowshoes or a few demo pairs will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The event is free.

Over at the Ice Rink at Millennium Park, business has been brisk when temperatures haven’t been too severe to skate. The outdoor, refrigerated rink at 280 Romence Road, in its 14th season, will remain open Thursdays through Sundays through March 2.

The ice rink will host the annual Valentine’s Skate Date at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. The cost is $12 a person and, new this year, the event starts with a catered dinner on the ice served by a waiter on skates and then a private skate on the rink until it re-opens at 7 p.m. to the public. Registrations are due by Feb. 12.

On Feb. 27 is the annual Twilight Skate from 9 p.m. to midnight that costs $5 to rent skates and skate or $3 to skate only. The evening event has been successful in part because there is no school on Feb. 28 but also because the city dims the lights, pumps in upbeat music and doles out prizes.

The winter programming is capped off by the second annual Portage Winter Blast Half Marathon and 5K Run March 2 at Portage Central High School. The inaugural event drew 800 runners on a frigid February morning last year. It is sponsored by Portage and the Kalamazoo Area Runners. Register at www.portagewinterblast.wordpress.com.

For information on all of these events and programs, contact the Portage Parks and Recreation Division at 329-4522 or go to www.portagemi.gov.